BTN does a good impersonation of Big Ten officiating: They blow a call

When Penn State and Nebraska play there is normally plenty to talk about before the game. There is the history of two of the great programs in college football. There are the legendary coaches and of course controversy, see 1982 Miracle of Mt. Nittany and see 1994 National Championship. We now know there was plenty that went on Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska that should have been discussed. Here is the breakdown of the networks' take on the Nittany Lions vs. Cornhuskers 2012. As always their respective coverage is rated on a scale of 1 – 5.

ESPN College Gameday: It is a look back to last year's Penn State / Nebraska game which occurred just days after Joe Paterno was fired by the BOTched. There were clips of Tom Bradley, Jay Paterno, and the midfield prayer before the game. Chris Fowler notes that the Cornhuskers have been a slow starting team while under Bill O'Brien this season Penn State has outscored their opponents 76-3 in the first quarter. Fowler also mentions that Nebraska has been surviving this season citing the receiving of “lucky breaks from the officials,” as one of the reasons. Lee Corso as he has done most of his Gameday career picks Penn State to lose. Kirk Herbstreit, who normally plays the McLovin card when it comes to quarterbacks, goes all in with the Huskers' Taylor Martinez and also states Nebraska will win. Desmond Howard predicts a two touchdown margin in a Cornhusker victory. Fowler said it would not be a surprise if Penn State were to win. Corso and Howard's analysis are usually nothing more than fluff and generalities. I have to give big props to Fowler whose insight on this game was nearly the way it played out on the field. During the selection segment Corso and Herbstreit restate their picks of Nebraska while the guest selector is Lt. Curtis Sharp of the USS San Diego, the location for this day's show, also going with the Cornhuskers. Rating: 4.5

BTN Football Pregame: The BTN crew is all giddy about their little Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis that will determine which team will get embarrassed in the Rose Bowl. This pushes the Penn State / Nebraska discussion to the second segment. The game does garner the show's Matchup of the Week. Gerry DiNardo breaks down Penn State's defense against Ohio State since the Buckeyes' offense is similar to what Nebraska runs. Not much time left for the predictions, just a graphic showing all of their selections. DiNardo, Glen Mason, and Howard Griffith all go with Nebraska. Rating: 4.2

FOX College Saturday: Once again the start of the Penn State game does not allow for any discussion of Penn State during this half hour show. Look, the only reason I kept tabs on this program is for one Erin Andrews and the show's host did not disappoint. Rating: 1,000

BTN The Final Drive: The first game shown is...... Michigan / Northwestern. Sure it went to overtime but did most of the followers of the Big Ten have this one as must see TV? BTN is not off to a good start. Second game shown, Wisconsin at Indiana. I guess in BTN land two unranked teams playing trumps the #16 team in the country hosting a team that is 4-1 in conference play. Oh wait, the Badgers win clinches a spot in the Big Ten title game followed by the obligatory plug to purchase tickets. Can't you just feel the excitement? The next game shown is.... Minnesota at Illinois?????? Do the letters WTH mean anything? Finally we get to Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers. They show the highlights including the Lehman “fumble” mentioning it appeared that the ball crossed the plain of the goal line before being knocked loose but the on-field decision was not overturned. When Griffith, DiNardo, and Mason break down the game they do not even mention this call. This is what many in the college football world are discussing when it comes to this game. Obviously it is all over the Penn State media and is getting plenty of attention in the Nebraska newspapers. BTN is completely incompetent by failing to recognize the significance of this play or they refuse to acknowledge it as cover for the incompetence of Big Ten officiating. Either way a major blow to the credibility of this media outlet, if BTN was ever considered a serious credible outlet. Later in the show, all the talking heads participate in a Bill O'Brien lovefest, praising the coach for the work he has done. Too little too late boys. Rating: -409 x infinity.